Tuesday, June 27th 2023

CORSAIR Launches iCUE LINK Smart Component Ecosystem with New Fans, AIO Coolers, and More

CORSAIR, a world leader in high-performance gear and systems for gamers, content creators, and PC enthusiasts, today launched some of its most anticipated products of the year: a new generation of cooling components that usher in the revolutionary iCUE LINK ecosystem. Able to connect a wide range of devices via a single cable standard that carries both power and data, iCUE LINK transforms PC building and cable management in a way that will change how enthusiasts build PCs forever. This initial wave of products includes iCUE LINK RGB CPU Coolers, iCUE LINK QX RGB fans, and the iCUE LINK System Hub. iCUE LINK changes the way that DIY enthusiasts and newcomers alike build PCs, offering simpler installation and vastly reducing cable complexity to make building a PC easier and more accessible than ever before.

First unveiled at Computex 2023, the iCUE LINK ecosystem transforms the PC building experience with an unprecedented single-cable approach to system building. Doing away with the multiple connector types, controllers, and nests of cables that have become commonplace in today's PCs, iCUE LINK utilizes a universal connector for all its components. Furthermore, each device connects directly to the next, creating a series of linked devices that all connect to the System Hub with just one cable delivering both power and data to them all.
iCUE LINK RGB CPU Coolers deliver fantastic cooling performance and brilliant visuals. Available in 240 mm, 280 mm, 360 mm, and 420 mm sizes respectively, the H100i, H115i, H150i, and H170i come equipped with the new QX RGB fans and a split-flow copper cold plate for extreme cooling efficiency. Hidden wiring, with connections moved to the end of the radiator, means there are no distracting wires around the pump head, resulting in a flawless look at the center of your system.

QX RGB fans are also available as standalone products, in both 120 mm and 140 mm sizes as multi-fan starter kits or single fan expansions. Spinning up to 2,400 RPM (120 mm) or 2,000 RPM (140 mm) with precise PWM control, these fans deliver powerful cooling alongside the low-noise and increased longevity that comes from CORSAIR's new Magnetic Dome bearing. Of course, their most eye-catching feature is an astonishing 34 RGB LEDs per fan, fully customizable in CORSAIR iCUE software with a bevy of lighting modes including the new iCUE LINK-exclusive Time Warp - a precisely timed lighting effect that creates the illusion that your fans are frozen in place.

Lastly, the iCUE LINK System Hub ties everything together, connecting and controlling up to 14 iCUE LINK devices at once. Measuring just 2"x2" and magnetically attaching to nearly any metal surface in your case, the System Hub discretely manages the entire ecosystem without drawing any attention away from your build. iCUE LINK System Hubs are included with every RGB CPU cooler and QX RGB Starter Kit, or available as a standalone purchase.

iCUE LINK represents an exciting and unprecedented shift in the DIY PC market. CORSAIR expects adoption of this groundbreaking ecosystem to drive an increase in the total market demand for PC components due to the reduced barrier to entry in the PC building process. Consumers who previously considered building their own PC have often been deterred by the perceived complexity and steep learning curve. By vastly reducing the amount of cables and connections in a PC, iCUE LINK reduces the difficulty of building a beautiful PC such that first time builders need no longer be intimidated.

In addition, iCUE LINK serves as a platform for future feature development. The products releasing today are only the first wave in a growing ecosystem that will expand in Q3 2023 to include custom cooling components, widely regarded as the most complex and niche segment of the DIY market. CORSAIR is also examining the potential of licensing the iCUE LINK ecosystem and its proprietary connector to reach even more prospective consumers to create a simplified standard in the DIY components space.

Availability and Pricing
CORSAIR iCUE LINK RGB CPU Coolers, QX RGB fans, and the iCUE LINK System Hub are available immediately from the CORSAIR webstore and the CORSAIR worldwide network of authorized retailers and distributors. iCUE LINK RGB CPU Coolers and QX RGB fans are backed by a five-year warranty, alongside the CORSAIR worldwide customer service and technical support network. The iCUE LINK System Hub and accessory cables are backed by a two-year warranty. For up-to-date pricing of individual iCUE LINK products, please refer to the CORSAIR website.

Web Pages
To learn more about the CORSAIR iCUE LINK Smart Component Ecosystem, please visit: www.corsair.com/link2023
Add your own comment

17 Comments on CORSAIR Launches iCUE LINK Smart Component Ecosystem with New Fans, AIO Coolers, and More

#1
SCP-001
I know it's a hard ask, but can we please have this as an open standard or get all the manufacturers to agree on some sort of standard? I know Wendell and Steve B. are working on some sort of entity for it but having 20 different ecosystems for lights is getting ridiculous.
Posted on Reply
#2
AnarchoPrimitiv
Way to go Corsair, another proprietary connector, just what we wanted. To this day, I still don't know why the PC industry adopted that completely unnecessary "4 minus 1 equals 3" addressable connector...why couldn't they have just used the 3 pin JST connector that the ENTIRE LED INDUSTRY USES for addressable LEDs and keep it simple?

"Doing away with the multiple connector types"...some of which you created!

BTW, those QX fans look exactly like some other model Corsair already sells, but then again they love pumping out overpriced fan models with the most subtle of differences between them.

P.S. - Out of curiosity, does anybody know the history/story of why the 4 minus 1 equals 3 addressable connector was invented? I feel like Asus is behind it...
Posted on Reply
#3
CrAsHnBuRnXp
This is delayed information.

Im literally holding off building a new system for this ecosystem.
Posted on Reply
#4
MetXallica
Great for cable management, terrible for your wallet. $160 for 3 120mm fans, NO THANK YOU!
Posted on Reply
#5
TheLostSwede
News Editor
MetXallicaGreat for cable management, terrible for your wallet. $160 for 3 120mm fans, NO THANK YOU!
That includes the hub as well though, which retails for $60 on its own.
Posted on Reply
#6
CrAsHnBuRnXp
MetXallicaGreat for cable management, terrible for your wallet. $160 for 3 120mm fans, NO THANK YOU!
Price you pay for innovation.

Also how are the 140mm fans cheaper than the 120mm?

Edit: Nvm. The 140mm's have 2 fans.The 120mm has 3.
Posted on Reply
#7
maxfly
The real question is will the software actually do what it's supposed to with this iteration? Not that I've had any issues with it but that's all I read about with corsair gear...ICUE issues left and right. I actually like it, (please don't smack me!!!).The second question, how long will it take them to kill off the old version and force unneeded upgrades? Granted I didn't read the entire ad (wall o puffem up text) and they may have covered that concern. That's my only worry tbh. How long will my fans work with their software before I have to can em? I don't like Corsair fans nearly enough to buy more, jokes on them if that happens to occur at some point.

The single cable solution? Sounds great and has been a long time coming! The current way of running a cable for pwm and another for rgb (for each fan) is atrocious. The rats nest is a system builders worst nightmare in cable organization.
Posted on Reply
#8
bonehead123
more iClueless stuff, yee haw.....just want I want for xmas mommy..../s

n.O.t !
Posted on Reply
#9
katzi
*Hard* pass

They couldn't PAY me to run iCue on my pristine windows install.
Posted on Reply
#10
kapone32
In a world where you can get 3 ARGB for $50, a controller with 10 ARGB ports for less than $15 and all working on your MB's ARGB why would I want this. Yes I was on Icue when I has several products but I did not install it when I upgraded to 11 and I don't miss it.
Posted on Reply
#11
CrAsHnBuRnXp
m2geek*Hard* pass

They couldn't PAY me to run iCue on my pristine windows install.
It's not that bad :laugh:

v5 of icue made it so that you only install what you actually need to use which brings the footprint down.
bonehead123more iClueless stuff, yee haw.....just want I want for xmas mommy..../s

n.O.t !
If you dont like it, why do you bother commenting?
Posted on Reply
#12
Nihillim
TechNerd97I know it's a hard ask, but can we please have this as an open standard or get all the manufacturers to agree on some sort of standard?
No, because they can make more money by locking potential customers in.
Choose your walled garden carefully.
Posted on Reply
#13
shoskunk
Seems like a fairly well played response to pcmr! Seriously though, pretty innovative imo. Clean for small case setups.

It's a niche product; not just a fan. Always costs more.

*offers Noctua fan and slowly backs away from this thread*

:)
Posted on Reply
#14
KellyNyanbinary
$50 for QX120 and $55 for QX140. What have we come to?

You can buy 12 Thermalright TL-C12C-S for one of these.
Posted on Reply
#15
CrAsHnBuRnXp
Heres a video with Jayztwocents talking about the new stuff This solves one of the PCs BIGGEST problems! - YouTube
KellyNyanbinary$50 for QX120 and $55 for QX140. What have we come to?

You can buy 12 Thermalright TL-C12C-S for one of these.
They are "smart" fans and have a bunch of other tech built into it that cheaper fans do not.
Posted on Reply
#16
TheoneandonlyMrK
After sampling they're wares and each time getting a new controller and again sampling they're wares.

Stick this twice as pricey shit where the sun doesn't shine I have zero trust in your proprietary tatt I've needed two commander pros, a few nodes etc since starting out and to this day I have weeks of just odd behaviour IF I change anything colour wise, sometimes it works sometimes it gets stuck on one colour or nothing for a week.

I'll pay double this and put up with twice the wired to dodge Corsair icue next time.
I mean I won't but hypothetically would, plain fans for me next time probably.
Posted on Reply
#17
95Viper
Stay on topic.
Stop the insults.
Stop the arguing.
Posted on Reply
Add your own comment
May 21st, 2024 12:52 EDT change timezone

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts